You are in your bedroom, studying for your math exam while listening to Spotify when all of a sudden, “Toxic” by Britney Spears comes on. That sultry, sizzling violin solo seizes all your attention, and you start nodding your head to the beat. All former plans of productivity are thrown out the window. You feel a sudden, agonizing urge to learn the violin solo, but you don’t know how.
So you google “how to play pop songs with a violin”.
And you find this guide 🙂
Playing “pop songs” on the violin requires somewhat of a different mentality than playing traditional repertoire.
The first difference is the way you practice the music. Often, violin players who play pop songs play by ear, rather than following notes on a sheet of music. In fact, many violinists who start out by playing only pop songs may not even know how to read sheet music.
Can You Play Pop Songs on Violin?
If you’re a fan of pop music, you might be wondering if it’s possible to play your favorite songs on violin. The answer is, yes – pop songs often use simple melodies that are easy to transfer to the violin.
- Listen to the song several times to get a feel for the melody. Once you have the melody memorized, you can begin working on your own interpretation.
- Experiment with different techniques to find the sound that you’re looking for. Bowing or plucking the strings can produce very different results, so try both methods and see what works best for the song you’re playing.
- Pay attention to the dynamics of the song. Louder or softer sections can add a lot of emotion to your performance.
By following these simple tips, you’ll be able to add pop songs for the violin to your violin repertoire in no time!
Ready to get started? Consider signing up for violin lessons. You’ll learn everything you need to know in order to play pop songs with violin – plus some of the other important tips highlighted in the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bx7SiGoRbc
What Pop Songs Use Violin?
The easiest way to play easy violin pop songs is, of course, to find songs that already have the violin as a key piece.
Pop songs often use a wide variety of instruments to create an catchy, upbeat sound. However, one instrument that is sometimes used in pop songs is the violin. While the violin can be used to create a range of different sounds, it is often used in pop songs to add a touch of elegance or drama.
For example, the song “All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor features a prominent violin solo that helps to give the song a more sophisticated sound.
In addition, the song “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane uses a soaring violin melody to create an emotional climax.
Thus, while the violin is not often associated with pop music, it can occasionally be used to great effect in this genre.
What is the Easiest Pop Song to Play on Violin?
Without a doubt, the easiest pop song to play on violin is “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” This classic children’s song only requires a few simple notes, which makes it perfect for beginners.
It might not be all that exciting, but it’s a good place to start for pop songs with a violin.
The melody is also easy to remember, so you won’t get frustrated trying to learn the song.
If you’re looking for a challenge, you can try playing “Pop Goes the Weasel.” This tune has a slightly more complicated melody, but it’s still within the capabilities of most beginner violinists. Once you’ve mastered these two songs, you’ll be ready to tackle more challenging pieces.
Pop Songs That Start With a Violin
Pop songs that start with a violin are becoming increasingly popular. A quick search on Spotify reveals that there are hundreds of songs that begin with the iconic sound of a violin.
And it’s easy to see why this trend is gaining popularity. Pop songs on the violin add an instant feeling of drama and excitement, setting the tone for the rest of the song. They also have a wide range of emotions that they can convey, from happiness to heartbreak.
As a result, it’s no surprise that more and more pop songs are starting with a violin. Some of the most popular examples include “All I Wanna Do” by Sheryl Crow, “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston, and “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran.
How to Play Pop Songs With a Violin: Step by Step
Pop songs are everywhere these days. And while they may not be the most technically challenging pieces to play on the violin, they can still be a lot of fun. If you’re looking to add a pop song or two to your repertoire, here’s how to get started:
Choose the Right Song
Not all pop songs are created equal when it comes to the violin. When selecting a song, look for something with a relatively simple melody that doesn’t have too many chords. A good place to start is with pop songs from the 1970s and 1980s; think along the lines of “Every Breath You Take” by The Police or “Bless the Beasts and Children” by The Carpenters.
Find a Reliable Transcription
Once you’ve chosen a song, you’ll need to find a transcription that’s written specifically for the violin. These can be tricky to track down, but a quick Google search should do the trick. Once you have your hands on a transcription, take some time to familiarize yourself with the melody and any accompanying harmonies.
Get Rhythm
Get comfortable with the rhythms. Pop songs often make use of syncopation and other rhythmic techniques that can be challenging for beginners. Again, take some time to slowly go through the song and make sure you’re comfortable with all of the rhythms before you start playing at tempo.
Playing Just the Melody:
The simplest way to play a pop song on the violin is to just play the melody (solo) line.
One can do this by ear, or by finding simple sheet music online.
If you are learning by ear, here are a few tips that would help you:
- Split the song into smaller sections. Identify the intro, the verse, the chorus, the bridge, etc… and learn one section at a time.
- Listen to the song as much as you can! You want the melody and harmony to be ingrained into your memory so it is easy for you to express yourself creatively.
- After learning the basic notes of the melody, see if you can add your own personal touches to it. You can add subtle changes by playing the melody in a different rhythm than the singer sings it, adding “filler” notes, adding turns, trills, accompaniment, etc..
The fun thing about playing a pop song on the violin is that one can improvise and add their own personal flair to the song. If you want to know how to do this well, it requires slightly more advanced techniques and knowledge, but should not be too difficult to learn. Are you up to the challenge?
It is actually quite simple!
Learning Chord Progressions
If you are feeling experimental and want to be confident enough to add your own unique voice to a pop song you are playing, you will want to learn the song’s chord progression.
So what exactly are chords? Chords, in their simplest form, consist of three notes – thirds stacked on top of each other.
Here is an example of a C major chord:
The notes shown are C, E, and G.
Here is an F major chord: the notes show are F, A, and C.
There are two common ways of notating chords: one way is with the letter pitch name, such as “C”, “Ab”, and “F#”, or in Roman numerals, such as “I”, “V”, or “iii”.
Say you are playing a song in the key of C minor.
The roman numeral “i” would be C minor chord, “V” would be G major, and “iv” would be F minor.
Most pop songs alternate between four basic chords. There might be a few outlier chords here and there, but you often only need to learn a few chords to be able to play the song.
One of the most common chord progressions is this four chord progression:
I – V – vi – IV
If the song is in C major, the four chords would be C major, G major, a minor, and F major.
You can also figure out the chords of a certain song by googling it. For example, if you wanted to learn the chord progression to Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, just google “Bohemian Rhapsody chords”.
Off You Go!
Now that you have figured out the chords, you can start experimenting! Try putting the song on and playing along with it. The simplest way to make use of your newfound knowledge is by outlining the chord by arpeggiating it. When you arpeggiate a chord, you play all three (or more) notes one at a time, in a row.
You can start improvising by playing any order of notes in the key you are in. For example, if you are in F major, you can play the notes (F, G, A Bb, C, D E, F) in whatever order or pattern you fancy. As the song progresses, the music will land on different chords/harmonies. As the music lands on these chords, try emphasizing certain notes of those chords. For example, it often sounds good to emphasize the 7th when you land on a “V” chord. Also, to jazz it up, you can start adding sevenths, ninths, or even elevenths of chords!
Play What You Love… And Experiment!
Of course, you don’t have to follow any set of rules, or stick to any set of notes without letting yourself deviate. Playing only the notes in a key is just the starting point, a rough guide. Often, the music sounds the most interesting when you start breaking the rules, as long as you can do so convincingly. The only rule is whether it sounds good to your ear!
Listen, Listen Listen!
Finally, the most important thing is to just listen, listen, listen. Play the song over and over again, listening critically. Feel the harmonies until you know them by heart. Be able to outline the chords in your sleep. This is the fastest track way to really master a song and make it your own. If you follow all these steps, you will be on your way to becoming a violin pop song expert! You will be able to easily play pop songs with a violin, and you’ll certainly be able to play “Toxic” by Britney Spears.
Can Any Song Be Played on Violin?
A lot of people seem to think that any song can be played on the violin. But that’s not necessarily true. While the violin is a very versatile instrument, there are some songs that are just better suited for other instruments.
Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule – some violinists have managed to make even the most unlikely songs sound beautiful on their instrument.
The violin is a versatile instrument that can be used to play a wide range of genres. For example, many pop and rock songs can be adapted for the violin, often with interesting results. The high-pitched nature of the violin gives these songs a unique flavor, and the use of vibrato and other techniques can help to create an immersive experience. In addition, the violin can be played solo or in a group setting, making it a versatile choice for bothbuskers and bands. As a result, there are few genres that are truly 100% off-limits for the violin.
You’ve just got to get creative!
So whether you’re a fan of Beethoven or Beyonce, don’t be afraid to give the violin a try. The best way to learn the ropes and gain the creative skills you need to become a pop violin virtuoso is, of course, to start taking violin lessons as soon as you can. You’ll learn everything you need to know in order to be successful – so sign up today and start playing around! Lindsey Stirling isn’t the only one with a corner on the pop-violin market, after all.
Abigail Tsai